Barum Czech Rally Zlín 

Kajetan Kajetanowicz finally in Zlín

27. 8. 2014 - Petr Linhart, Barum Czech Rally Zlín

Only a little was missing to see one of the best Polish drivers at the Barum Czech Rally Zlín already in the past, finally it’s going to happen this year. And Kajetan Kajetanowicz will definitely belong to the top drivers’ group.

Popular "Kajto" has belonged among Polish rally stars for many years, however it took some time before welcoming him on the international scene. But thanks to his cooperation with a Lotos petroleum company, he finally could enter the FIA European Rally Championship 2014. "In my cooperation with companies which allow me to compete in rallies I have to consider their plans and goals. Since 2010 it was important for my partners to be active and present in Poland. After winning four Polish Rally Championship titles in a row we decided to make a big step forward together and I got a chance to develop myself, taking part in FIA European Rally Championship. It does not mean that I had not dreamt about it a few years ago. But it's happening this year and I am very happy about it. I have got a chance to compete in the most difficult rallies, against extremely strong opponents," said Kajetanowicz adding more about the choice of the ERC: "After many seasons spent in Poland, when you could count my starts abroad on the fingers of one hand I got the chance to progress. Competing in ERC means that my next dream is now fulfilled. FIA ERC is an extremely demanding series, very difficult rallies and tough competition. These conditions are perfect for raising the skills and development as a driver. Media support provided by Eurosport is also very important. They do an excellent job."

Kajetanowicz was in touch with the Zlín-based rally already in the past. Once he was really close to enter the rally with his Subaru, however the Pole passed only the reconnaissance and didn't start to the rally. "That's right, couple of years ago we did recce ahead of Barum Rally together with Jarek and we gained some information about this event. Of course doing recce and driving through all stages give you a picture of situation but nothing can replace experience which you get not by driving the route in a road car, doing maximum 50 or 60 km/h, but by driving three times faster in a rally car. Every rally this year except for Jänner is new to me and I gain experience which will help me in the future. Barum Rally is a next big challenge for LOTOS Rally Team," says the native from Czyeszin who in 2014 uses a Ford Fiesta R5. "There are no easy rallies in European Championship, but Barum is extremely demanding. It is unique – with very narrow, bumpy route and changing grip levels but there are also quick, wide sections. I hope that the roads on which we had our pre-event tests are representative and similar to the stages. There is an additional challenge because all our rivals know this rally very well. Especially Czech drivers who are always a big threat when they compete at home."

Kajetanowicz doesn't need to wonder about keys to success at the Barum Czech Rally Zlín: "I know I am boring but I have to repeat this word: experience. It is crucial in most of the rallies this year. Having experience and knowledge about the event, we can predict car's behaviour, get the right settings for rain or for dry and hot conditions. We are in a process of accumulating these data. You cannot predict everything during recce and sometimes we can see how the car behaves only after driving the stage with rally speed and then we know if we had judged this part of the road too cautiously or too optimistic. We can correct the pace notes and adjust the speed on the second run. Experience gained in previous starts in the event enables you to drive on the limit right from the beginning. We do not have experience here, in Barum Rally, but we have great fighting spirit and we will see what result it will bring us."